This year, the commission is gathering information as part of its legal obligation to report to the Legislature on whether judicial pay increases are needed.

“The state’s not necessarily flush with money although I don’t think it was in 2013 either,” commission chairman state Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie, said. “It’s our obligation to take a look at it and make a recommendation, then it’s up to the Legislature whether to approve.”

Martiny said the commission recommendation could once again be to let the status quo continue.

The commission is required to meet annually to look at the pay of judges on the Supreme Court, appeals court, district court as well as parish and city courts. It looks at pay nationally and regionally and the makes recommendations to the Legislature on how local pay should be adjusted to keep pace.

Scott will be paid $20,000 to update judicial compensation data from a prior report he did for the commission. The commission agreed for Scott to also look at salaries at private sector law firms for lawyers with experience.

“I think it’s important we pay an appropriate salary to attract quality candidates to the judiciary,” commission member state Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, said.

Different judges’ associations have agreed to pick up the expense of the report which is expected to be completed around Christmas.

The commission will meet again Jan. 4 to decide what route it will take.